as in to explode
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure
the bomb detonated with a thunder that could be heard for blocks in all directions
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Recent Examples of detonate
These experiments simulated some of the effects of a nuclear blast within a lab setting, without having to detonate a weapon of mass destruction.
—
Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 15 Jan. 2026
The decision by Sir Jim Ratcliffe to detonate the Ruben Amorim project shook football.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Prosecutors said that during an interview with investigators after his arrest, Cole confessed to constructing the devices, filling them with explosive powder and setting the timers to detonate.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026
Once a year, in October, visitors can attend an open house at the Trinity Site—where the first atomic bomb was detonated in 1945.
—Sharael Kolberg, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 15 Jan. 2026
The decision by Sir Jim Ratcliffe to detonate the Ruben Amorim project shook football.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Prosecutors said that during an interview with investigators after his arrest, Cole confessed to constructing the devices, filling them with explosive powder and setting the timers to detonate.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026
Once a year, in October, visitors can attend an open house at the Trinity Site—where the first atomic bomb was detonated in 1945.
—Sharael Kolberg, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonate
Verb
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Heather is confused about what exactly LUXE Marketing (Lisa’s company that isn’t Vida) does, and Lisa explodes at her for even asking the question.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
21 Jan. 2026
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My sense is that the trail leads to nothing revelatory, but at least you’re treated to plenty of exploding bodies, piles of steaming flesh and a writhing A-list cast along the way.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In a December meeting, commissioners acknowledged customers’ frustrations, but added that the winds blew down hundreds of power lines onto the dry landscape.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
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Roadways are hazardous due to accumulated, blowing and drifting snow and roads may be very icy.—
Cheryl Vari,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For many people, thinking feels like words popping into consciousness and organizing themselves into sentences and arguments.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
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Reinvention happens when musicians jump genres, like Taylor did from country to pop music.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonate. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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